Toll-like receptor 1 as a possible target in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Anja Baumann, Anika Nier, Angélica Hernández-Arriaga, Annette Brandt, Maria José Lorenzo Pisarello, Amelia Camarinha-Silva, Cheng Jun Jin, Esther Pilar, Jörn M. Schattenberg, Ina Bergheim (Corresponding author)

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Abstract

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the liver compartment have repeatedly been attributed to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Knowledge on TLR expression in blood cells and their relation to intestinal microbiota and NAFLD development is limited. Here, we determined TLR expression patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of NAFLD patients and controls, their relation to intestinal microbiota and the impact of TLRs found altered in NAFLD development. Markers of intestinal permeability in blood and TLR mRNA expression in PBMCs were determined in 37 NAFLD patients and 15 age-matched healthy controls. Fecal microbiota composition was evaluated in 21 NAFLD patients and 9 controls using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Furthermore, TLR1−/− and C57BL/6 mice (n = 5–6/group) were pair-fed a liquid control or a fat-, fructose- and cholesterol-rich diet. Intestinal microbiota composition and markers of intestinal permeability like zonulin and bacterial endotoxin differed significantly between groups with the latter markers being significantly higher in NAFLD patients. Expression of TLR1-8 and 10 mRNA was detectable in PBMCs; however, only TLR1 expression, being higher in NAFLD patients, were significantly positively correlated with the prevalence of Holdemanella genus while negative correlations were found with Gemmiger and Ruminococcus genera. TLR1−/− mice were significantly protected from the development of diet-induced NAFLD when compared to wild-type mice. While intestinal microbiota composition and permeability differed significantly between NAFLD patients and healthy subjects, in PBMCs, only TLR1 expression differed between groups. Still, targeting these alterations might be a beneficial approach in the treatment of NAFLD in some patients.
Original languageEnglish
Article number17815
Number of pages15
JournalScientific Reports
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Sep 2021

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 303009 Nutritional sciences

Keywords

  • CELLS
  • CROSSTALK
  • EXPRESSION
  • GLOBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
  • GUT MICROBIOTA DYSBIOSIS
  • HUMANS
  • INNATE IMMUNITY
  • NAFLD
  • PATTERN-RECOGNITION RECEPTORS
  • STEATOHEPATITIS

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